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Basically
only women and children of the rural area
of Chordeleg participate in the production of toquilla
straw handicrafts, as a complementary activity to
their agricultural and household chores. |
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weaving process of either decorative or utile models
of hats is exclusively manuel and heir production requieres
an enormous amount of creativity. These productos are famous
all over the world for their attractive and colorfull desings
and for their uncomparable quality. |
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Toquilla
Straw This plant is cultivated in the mountainous
zones of the coast and eastern Ecuador. Drying, the
initial process of toquilla straw takes places in
the same location as the production. From the drying
plants, our Organization obtains the material to continue
processing it. In the next process, the straw is smoked
and whitened using wood tanks with sulfur; the straw
is placed there for two nights. Soon the straw will
be classified as ready for sale. |
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Dyeing
This is final process before the craftswomen
can begin weaving ther crafts. Tanks of aluminium,
zinc or copper are used for the dyeing process. In
these tanks, water and natural or chemicla dyes are
combined with the straw and the boiled for 25 minutes
at high temperatures. |
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| Weaving
Toquilla straw weaving is done in the homes of the
craftswoman; they use whitened as well as dyed straw. Different
wooden molds are used according to designs that they wish
to create; in this way each completed craft is perfect whether
it be decorative or utilitarian. |
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